ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has notified an increase in the power tariff by Re0.24 per unit, reports Khalid Mustafa. The decision will impact 20 million electricity consumers across the country, but will not be applicable to lifeline consumers who consume just 50 units a month, or KESC consumers.
According to the notification, the tariff increase is to apply retrospectively and will be applicable on electricity used in the month of June 2012. In the month of June alone, 7.73 billion units of electricity were sold and the cost of fuel remained at Rs53.82 billion. The cost of generating electricity has risen because of the costly furnace oil used for generation in June. Consumers will receive inflated bills with an increase of Re0.24 per unit next January for electricity used in the month of June. Significantly, the Central Power Purchase Agency (CPPA) had sought a hike of Re0.26 per unit in power tariff but the regulator reduced it by 2 paisas.